Dixie Softball Rules are vague concerning coaches in their respective coaching boxes. Many coaches in Dixie believe that they are protected in the coach's box on a foul ball near the third base line. Are they protected in ASA, NF, NSA, etc? In a situation earlier this year, a thrown ball strikes a third base coach and deflects past the left fielder and three runners score. Under Dixie rules a thrown ball striking a coach is a live ball, the defensive coach argued that the coach was out of the box thus he intentionally interfered with the throw. How do ASA, NF, NSA, etc handle this situation?

Speaking ASA

The box is not a haven for coaches and they must yield the right of way to all players at all times. A coach who is hit by a batted or thrown ball is not to be considered interference unless the umpire deems the act intentional. Being out of the box is not an act of intention if hit with the ball accidently. If it were, the players would throw at the coach every time they moved anywhere near being out of the box.

Hmmmmmm......
 

Time for a rule change? Hmmmm...????

Then why have a coaching box?!?

We have coaches boxes as a reminder that this is where you should coach from. Next time you're at a field where there are none see where the coaches stand and you'll see what I mean. They are a courtesy, no more no less.

ABZ:

True that the book is vague on this matter, and that a thrown ball that strikes a coach is live. But, if you feel that the coach could have avoided the contact or that the contact was intentional, you still kill the ball as per several sections of rule 9. So, in that sense, in Dixie, the coaches box is not really a safe haven either.

Scott

Scott,

I totally agree. I just can't figure out where these coaches get some of their rule "knowledge". They always mention "in travel ball" or "in HS ball" it's called this way. I'm trying to draw parallels between Dixie rules and other associations.

To keep the coaches out of the way when there is a batter up. Like a batter's box, it exists even when there are no visible lines.

I think we all wonder where coaches get their "rules knowledge." See my post on this site under "everything I know about being an umpire...." Incidentally, that tournament was what coaches call "travel ball!"

Scott

Coach's box is a recommended location, a courtesy. There is no penalty for being out of the coaches box - as long as they stay in foul territory.

There is a penalty for interference with the defense (like F5 trying to catch a fly ball and runs into the coach - batter is out)and there is a penalty for assisting a runner (runner is out). There is no penalty for poorly thrown balls that go through or past the defense and hit the coach (in or out of the box makes no difference).

It is truly strange that a coach would think the rules are different when he is on the road (traveling) than they are when home (not traveling):) Wouldn't both of these locations be played under the same league rules? Anyway, if a coach is going to try to tell me the rules, I'm going to be very leary.

Had a funny one yesterday. F5 muffed an easy grounder as he tried to field it and tag runner R2 - missed the ball and left it on the ground as he moved about 8 feet towards the runner and ran into him. Partner properly showed delayed deadball for the obstruction. Coach wants to know why he held his arm out for interference.

It was tough for me to choke back a chuckle. "That call was made for the benefit of the runner. He would not be called out if tagged after the contact because he was obstructed. If the runner had interfered with F5 fielding the ball it would have been immediately dead and the runner called out. The delayed deadball signal was for the runner." Coach said "Okay." No further question.

Where do they get their rules knowledge?
;)